The holidays are all about atmosphere, and few things set the tone like lighting. Whether you’re hosting a festive dinner or a cozy movie night, the right glow can make your home feel instantly more inviting and chic.
Smart lighting has become one of the simplest ways to elevate that warmth, offering endless color combinations, scene settings, and energy-saving features. You don’t need a full smart home setup to enjoy the benefits – even a few connected bulbs or switches can transform your space.
Below, experts share four easy ways to ‘set the scene’ this holiday season with smart lighting solutions that make gatherings glow brighter and more creatively, while saving energy in the process.
4 Ways Smart Lights Transform Indoor Holiday Gatherings
From color-changing bulbs and smart switches to motion sensors and music-syncing light strips, it’s easier than ever to make your home glow exactly how you want it to. Smart lighting benefits span creativity and efficiency, letting you enjoy the warmth of the season without wasting energy or effort.
‘Don’t be scared to be silly,’ says Kobi Cummings, co-founder at The Valley Venues. ‘Changing lights means changing atmosphere – so lean in, and be dramatic! It’ll be worth it.’
1. Switch to Smart Bulbs for Instant Ambiance
Smart bulbs add cozy ambiance while reducing energy bills.
When it comes to creating atmosphere, color-changing smart bulbs are one of the most effective solutions. From a quick tap on your phone, you can switch from a warm golden dinner glow to a deep red or icy blue palette, depending on the mood. They'll quickly become a guest favorite.
‘Smart lighting is an easy and convenient way to make your holiday events feel special while reducing your energy bills,’ says Nick Barber, co-founder at Utilities Now, adding, ‘You can set the mood based on the activity you want to enjoy by choosing the colors that match that activity.’
Kobi shares this excitement for the smart home gadgets, 'I will literally sit at a party with my lights app and set the mode depending on the music, or conversation, although I know that's a little extra! Lighting really is everything, especially for a themed party.'
Color-changing LEDs also use a fraction of the energy of traditional holiday bulbs, making them a smart choice for eco-conscious hosts. And luckily, they're not expensive, as this EcoSmart 60W smart bulb from Home Depot costs just $9.97, and can shift hues, dim smoothly, and even pair with Google, Alexa, and Hubspace for voice control.
I use smart bulbs to set ambiance in the evenings, and I wouldn't live without one now. Being able to adjust the brightness and hue of the lights makes every room feel warmer with minimal effort.
Yamed Mahfoud, a director at Bees Lighting, adds that color-changing bulbs have become essential Christmas décor ideas, adding, 'They create dynamic atmospheres that adapt to different party phases and guest activities. Start with smart bulbs in high-traffic locations, then move on to more decorative areas.’
Costing around half the price of a Philips Hue or Govee smart bulb, this EcoSmart bulb has 16 million hues to choose from, and can be controlled using your existing Google, Alexa, or Hubspace devices.
2. Add Smart Dimmer Switches for Subtle Control
Smart dimmer switches let you adjust your existing lights, without having to alter your property.
For those who love their current fixtures but want more flexibility, smart dimmer switches are the perfect in-between, and one of the latest lighting trends. They let you lower the brightness for intimate dinners, then brighten things up for games or cleanup.
‘Smart dimmer switches are great if you want to use your existing light fixtures but still want more control,’ says Nick. They also integrate easily with most systems, meaning you can pair them with your voice assistant or smartphone.
Consider installing this Decora Smart Wi-Fi Dimmer Switch at Home Depot to fine-tune your control over brightness levels while cutting down on unnecessary energy use. It can connect to Google and Alexa setups, meaning you can control the lights from anywhere, and with your voice.
This small addition makes a big difference in how your home feels throughout the evening – whether you’re hosting cocktails by the tree or enjoying a late-night dessert with friends.
With wireless and screwless options, this dimmer switch can be installed onto your existing light fixtures, so you can dim the lights as the evening changes, and you won't lose out on the big light when it's needed. You can control it from the switch, your phone, or using your Google or Alexa voice assistants.
3. Sync Lights to Music for Effortless Party Energy
With built-in microphones or app connectivity, music-responsive lighting adds unique energy to a get-together.
If you’re planning a lively gathering, lighting that reacts to music brings a touch of magic to the get-together. ‘Lighting really is everything, especially for a themed party,’ says Kobi Cummings.
Music-responsive systems use built-in microphones or app integrations to pulse and shift colors with the beat. Options like the KSIPZE 100ft Led Strip Lights at Amazon can be placed behind furniture or around the ceiling for subtle, glowing movement that energizes the space.
Yamed Mahfoud adds that voice-operated systems make it easy to adjust mid-event, ‘Presets allow for smooth transitions from cocktails to dinner. Just check that all lighting scenes work before your guests arrive, with manual standby controls set up in critical areas.’
Sticking these on the backs of furniture and your TV will create subtle lighting that can shift as the music changes, including fading, flashing, and color-changing.
4. Set and Forget with Energy-Saving Features
Setting timers and schedules with smart bulbs can save up to 90% on your energy bills.
Beyond color and creativity, one of smart lighting’s best perks is its practicality. With built-in timers, motion sensors, and scheduling features, you can ensure the lights dim down or switch off automatically once the party winds down.
Nick Barber recommends grouping lights by room or function so you can ‘control everything without wasting electricity.'
Dara Greaney, CEO of LEDLightExpert agrees, adding, ‘Using LEDs for your holiday lighting saves up to 90% on energy over incandescent lighting. Utilize features like timers and smart switches, which can be used for indoor as well as outdoor lighting.’
Try these Defiant Smart Plugs from Home Depot to create schedules and timers. You can set them to dim at a certain time, light up as you wake up, or turn off by a certain time to avoid wasting energy.
Set schedules for your indoor smart lights to turn on or off with this four-pack of smart plugs.
Next, learn these Christmas tree ideas and Christmas tree decorating mistakes to keep yours stylish and timeless.
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